Yvonne Beck
Independent Celebrant
Celebrate your special occasion with a unique and stylish ceremony
Invite your family and friends to celebrate your marriage, vow renewal, anniversary, baby naming,
or other celebration in your dream location and with your added style and ideas.
As a experienced marriage and family celebrant, and as a member of the Fellowship of Professional
Celebrants, I will work with you to create and deliver a wonderful and intimate ceremony for any
occasion. You're then free to relax and enjoy your day.
Your ceremony is created specifically for you, tailored around your ideas and wishes, and then
guided by my expertise and suggestions where appropriate.
Perhaps you would like to get married on the beach, renew your vows under your favourite tree, or
celebrate the new arrival of a new family member in your home? It's all possible. Give way to your
imagination and allow me to turn that into reality.
Contact me on 07800 543 426 for an informal chat or email ivvey@hotmail.com and we'll discuss
your special day.
CelebrantInLondon.co.uk

The Wedding Bridal Studio
Exclusive stockist of Donna Lee brides wedding dresses in Sussex.
Christina Rossi exclusive stockist of the whole of Sussex and Kent. And Richards designs.
WITH EVERY PURCHASE OF A DESIGNER WEDDING DRESS, WE GIVE AWAY A TIARA AND VEIL WORTH UPTO £20
Opening times Monday to Saturday 9am to 9pm by appointment only. Tiaras, veils and jewellery by leading designs.
Mobile (07423) 069295 or (01892) 664796. Email aspalding@talktalk.net. Website www.theweddingbridalstudio.co.uk
GLEN GRANT TOASTMASTER
Glen Grant has been a Toastmaster and
Master of Ceremonies for over 15 years.
Glen is a friendly and professional
toastmaster who will ensure that the bride
and groom and their families and friends,
have a happy and stress-free special day.
He is also a recommended toastmaster for
Hindu, Sikh and Muslim weddings.
Tel 0208 337 9018
Mobile 07772 869523
www.glen-grant.co.uk | glengrant.toastmaster@gmail.com

www.lowhouseevents.co.uk
events@lowhousearmathwaite.co.uk
016974 72009
We are a family-run wedding venue in Cumbria and passionately believe in giving your
wedding the personal touch it deserves. Celebrate your wedding in the Eden Valley –
in one of the most gracious wedding venues in the Lake District.

12 Month Wedding
Just got engaged?
Tell family and friends your big news
Throw an engagement party
Start to think about dates for the wedding
12 Months to go
Work out a budget as soon as possible
Remember the sooner you book suppliers, the
less likely you are going to be dissapointed
Book Venue for ceremony & reception
Start to draft your guest lists for both day and
evening celebrations
Start looking at wedding dresses
If possible book your photographer and/or
videographer, catering team etc
Choose bridesmaids, best man, ushers etc
Arrange to get your marriage licence from your
local registrar
9 Months to go
Choose and order wedding cake
Confirm all venues and fine detail all service,
readings and your music
Choose your wedding stationery or make your
own
Book Your Wedding transport
Choose and order outfits for Groom, best man
and ushers
Choose bridal jewellery for the Bride and
bridesmaids
Choose and order wedding flowers
(bouquets, button hole, ceremony & reception
decorations
Choose and order bridesmaid dresses
Confirm food and drink with catering team
Choose and order wedding rings
Start looking at honeymoon destinations (never
too soon!)
Decide if you're having a wedding gift list and
organise
Send out save the date cards
6 Months to go

g
g Planning Guide
3 Months to go
Book an appointment with your hairdresser to
try out some styles
Arrange your wedding make up trial
Inform reception venue and caterers of final
guest numbers
Send out invitations
Work out your seating plan
Finalise your honeymoon plans
1 Month to go
Check that your Groom is organised! Clothes,
rings, outfts etc
Have your final hair and make up practice
Have a 'practice run' at home with your dress,
tiara, jewellery etc
Hold your rehearsal
Plan and hold hen and stag nights
1 Week to go
Wear in your shoes at home
Stay relaxed & have a good breakfast to set you
up for the day
Deligate any last minutes errands
Don't panic if small things go wrong, let others
do the worrying!
Take your time to get ready
and above all have a magical day!
Arrange for your luggage to be at the hotel or
reception on the day
Pick up the cake, buttonholes and flowers as late
in the day as possible
You may have guests arriving to stay the night
before so be prepared for them to start arriving
In the evening, have a lovely bath with some
relaxing salts
Have an early night and RELAX
The Big Day
Contact suppliers one last time to confirm
Arrange pet boarding whilst you are away
1 Day to go

Halloween Themed Wedding Inspirations
Surprisingly we have a lot of enquiries from brides looking for Halloween Themed wedding
inspiration, and for details of suppliers whom can help them with their planning.
So we set about on the look out for a selection of our suppliers who can provide you with everything
you need for your Halloween wedding!
You don't have to be dressed as Dracula's bride to create a Halloween theme! You can be as subtle
as cleverly designed black, clear and orange balloons like the ones shown below. These are
available from Anthia of Cardelium for £7.50, including balloon weight. She is based in Halifax www.
cardelium.co.uk
Perhaps having your chair covers, table decoarations, runners etc appropriately dressed will be just
what you need to set your theme.
Colour Combinations
Orange and Black
Silver and Black
Purple and Black

The staff at Unforgettable Rhodes Weddings have an excellent reputation on the Island of Rhodes for
their organisation skills and professionalism.
Justine and her wedding team have all worked within the tourism industry for over twenty years and It
is because of this that we can offer the highest standard of service on the Island. Our services are available
year round and because we are residents on Rhodes we can offer affordable and competitive prices and
we are always kept up to date on any new venues and ideas for your perfect day.
Our experienced wedding co-ordinators work with you to tailor the day to your dream idea, no matter
how intricate or wild the idea, they will attend to the smallest of details to ensure that your wedding will
be an unforgettable day for you, and your guests.
Rhodes and Lindos Weddings Ceremony Venues
Your wedding day should be the most memorable day, filled with romance and unforgettable
memories to treasure for a lifetime. Imagine declaring your vows on a sun-kissed beach or in a lush
garden bathed in warm sunshine.
Justine King | www.unforgettablerh

h
"It has to be said, thanks to Unforgettable Rhodes Weddings we had the
best day of our lives!! "
"Amazing!! From start to finish! Everyone was so helpful and friendly!
Wouldn't have changed a thing!
Thank you for making our wedding day perfect!"
"Thankyou for all your help planning our wedding, we had an absolutely
fabulous day and everything went so smoothly with your help!"
We have carefully handpicked stunning ceremony venues that will make your special day even more
special, and be assured that behind the scenes our dedicated Wedding Team will ensure you day goes
perfectly and be on hand to take care of all the little extras.
We offer a selection of venues to suit every individual. Everybody has their own dreams of where they
want to tie the knot, yours may be under a spectacular dome such as Kalithea Spa or by a small Greek
chapel surrounded with fragrant flowers and the glistening azure sea. Unforgettable Rhodes Weddings
can arrange the location of your dreams.
We work with the best 5* Deluxe Hotels in Rhodes and are able to offer them as venues for your wedding
and reception. Hotel weddings are extremely popular as they offer the benefits of not having to travel
out of the hotel, and a great way to enjoy your stay with family and wedding guests. Spend the morning
relaxing around the pool, or being pampered in one the hotels spas, and get married in the afternoon,
followed by a lavish reception, all under one roof! Ceremonies can be arranged in the hotel gardens, by
the pool and some even have their own quaint chapels.
And for those of you who wish for a simple ceremony Ceremny Venueon the beach look no further, as
these hotels offer an elegant beach setting dressed in all their glory. Whether you are looking for a simple
wedding or an extravagant celebration there are several optional extras to personalise your day, and
we can help arrange those finishing touches.
hodesweddings.com | 07546477812

how to save m
weddin
When it comes to planning your wedding, we all know most of the budget will be put
towards the wedding venue. It is a great idea to learn how to shave some pounds off
your venue spend and savings you make can be put towards other costs.
Holding a midweek wedding will almost certainly save you precious pounds. Most
wedding venues will offer midweek package discounts, so if you are able to hold your
wedding on a Thursday or Friday instead of Saturday or Sunday then this could be a real
winner.
Take into consideration other hidden costs at your wedding venue, such as a corkage
charge if you are planning on providing your own alcohol, this is usually per bottle, and
to be honest it could work out cheaper for your venue to provide your drinks.
Your chosen wedding venue will have a list of suppliers who they work with closely on
events. Contacts such as venue decorators and photographers, it may be worth asking
if they could point you in the right direction, or your venue may offer venue decorations,
chair cover hire etc as part of the wedding package.
Another benefit to using suppliers who know the venue, especially when it comes to
photographers, is they will know the best places for the best photos - so it's worth asking
your photographer if they have worked at the venue before hand.
If you are planning on holding both your ceremony and reception/evening reception at
the venue, this could save you costs also, with not needing to hire transport to and from
another venue and your home. Some venues have in house entertainment with may
be included in a wedding package.

m
money on your
g venue

Choosing your W
dos . . .
Visit lots of different stores to view as any dresses as possible to
make an informed decision
Schedule appointments with stores to help organise
To get the most out of your appointment try to arrange a midweek
one as it will be less busy than the weekend and you will get more
time with your assistant for help
Write down everything you want to ask at your appointment; it is
easy to get carried away in the excitement and forget the important
questions you might have
Take someone with you, mother, sister, aunt, friend & bridesmaid.
Get as many opinions as possible

W
Wedding Dress
and don'ts . . .
Settle on the first dress you see and try on; in the excitement it is
easy to get carried away in the moment
Go on any crash diets or work out too much without informing your
supplier you are planning to lose weight; you may end up needing
to be remeasured and pay for alterations
Arrange your appointment in the store too late in the day,
otherwise your assistant will have already 'assisted' lots of energetic
and enthusiastic brides and won't be as fresh as they would be first
thing in the morning.

1TOP
TIPS FOR
YOUR WEDDING
* Decide on a realistic budget and stick to it
* Take a moment with your partner during the day to soak up the atmosphere
* The evening before, lay out/hang up all your clothes ready for the day
* Keep essentials in a bag with your bridesmaid, spare tights, hair clips, mini sewing kits,
lipstick, shoe gel pads etc
* Be organised with all your suppliers, contact details, dates etc
* Make a list of all jobs that need to be done and work through regularly
* Having a slight squeeze getting into your dress? Talc will help
* Brides, have all your make up and hair done before putting your dress on
* Make sure you have a good breakfast the morning of the big day, you'll need the energy
* If you have a preferred supplier, book them asap to avoid disappointment
* Wash your hair the evening before it's due to be styled for your wedding
* Allow extra time for traveling to the venue, incase of traffic delays
* Keep mementos of the day, a place card, order of service, menu etc
* Can you save money by booking your wedding midweek? Some offer hugely discounted rates
* Prepare for unpredictable weather, have some ideas for photos inside, umbrellas etc

Would you like your business featured in our magazine?
We offer adverts from as little as £10.00
You can supply us with your text & images if you don't already
have artwork and we can design your advert for you at no extra cost!
All adverts are interactive, so customers can get in contact with
you right away and view your website, and social media pages at
a click of a button.
Email us today to book your space
isobel@bookyourwedding.co.uk

Top Tips for your Wedding Speech
Tip 1 - Planning is key to success, so make sure you plan ahead and start
writing your speech at least 2-3 months before the big day.
Tip 2 - Make sure it's suitable for your audience - especially with a mix of
younger children and older friends and relatives.
Tip 3 - When you have learned your speech, be sure to read it out loud a
good few times - doesn't have to be in front of a mirror just as long as you
can hear how it flows.
Tip 4 - When it comes to the big day, take it slow, don't read too fast to get
it over with - relax and it's come across perfect.

Vintage Weddings
An increasingly popular wedding theme couples are using is Vintage Inspired
weddings.
With a Vintage themed wedding, there is so much on offer, and the only limitation
is your imagination!
Nearly all aspects of your wedding can be covered: the dress, the cake, the stationery,
the decorations, the photography shots and even the venue!
Some ideas for you are…
Hiring some vintage style China table wear to serve the wedding breakfast (high
tea) on
Using a button, brooch or mix of flowers with them in your bouquet
Opt for a handmade tiara/headpiece for your hair
Using lace in your wedding dress
Hiring a traditional vintage car to take you to your venue
Choosing beautiful jewellery to compliment your theme
Add a touch of class and sophistication to your wedding cake, opting for additional
cupcakes, in a range of vintage colours, soft pastel pinks, greys, yellows, greens
There’s so much more you can do to inject some vintage style to your wedding day.
"the only
limitation is
your imagination!"

PLANNING T
{wed
Start with the basics and slowly add 'meat' to your ideas.
- Decide what season you want to hold your Wedding in -
- Where to hold your Wedding -
- Civil or Religious Ceremony -
- Rough idea of budget -
- Approx number of guests for Wedding ceremony -
- Approx number of guests for evening reception -
- Where you would like to go on honeymoon -
TIPS
Discuss possible dates
with both families
Decide early on who
will be paying for
what
Do you have a theme
you would like to run
with for your wedding

T
d
THE DETAILS
dmin}
Now you're ready to plan in more detail start looking at potential venues,
think about transport, photography, entertainment, food & drink,
stationery, flowers, decorations etc.
Discuss who you would like to be involved in your wedding. Bridesmaids,
pageboys, best man, ushers etc. Baring in mind any children you would
like to include and how they can be part of your special day. Perhaps
some may be a little young to play a big part or even walk alone, so having
a familiar person present with them is a good idea for things to run smoothly.
Not everything needs to be planned as a couple. You will want to organise
wedding dress shopping trips, hair & beauty appointments. As well the
groom will want to go suit shopping separately.

Changing Your Name
here is a guide to who you need to tell when
changing your name after you marry
Bank and Saving accounts
DVLA including driving licence
HMRC and DWP
Club Memberships
Credit and Debit Cards
Employment
Insurance Policies
Loans including mortgage company
Loyality Cards
Medical records, including Doctors and Dentist
National Insurance and Inland Revenue
Passport
Pensions
Mag Subscriptions
Utility Bills
Your Will

The importance of your
Wedding Photography
By Jo-ann L Wheeler Photography
So your partner has finally popped the question. Buy a few wedding magazines; consider the kind
of ceremony you'd like; go onto the internet to look at placed for your reception. You choose a
date; maybe send out 'Save the Date' cards.
You start looking for a dress, not just any old dress; you want the best dress you can afford. You
compile a list of who you'd like to be there, then worry about who to include and who to leave off.
You already know who'll be your Bridesmaids, Best Man & Ushers. You pick your colour scheme for
the day; put yourself on a bit of a diet, maybe plan a facial a week before, your nails the day before
& your hair and make-up on the day.
All these things are usually planned with military precision, but what of your Weding
Photographer? How much time have you spent looking into the person who will photograph your
day, who will do the pictures of the day that you spent so long planning? Unfortunately, it seems
that photographers are sometimes considered almost last minute.
The venue for your reception can sometimes recommend a photographer. If you go to another
wedding, watch the photographer - how do they conduct themselves; how do they interact with
the guests? If you like what you see, ask for a buisness cards. Ask friends and family who have
recently got married awho they used to photograph their day - ask to see the pictures from the
day, ask if they were happy with the photographer etc.
Look to meet at least two photographers, maybe three. You need to meet the photographer – what
are you going to do if you meet them for the first time on your wedding day and decide, for
whatever reason, that you can’t get on with them? It won’t matter how good they are, your dislike
of them may be hard to hide and may show in your photos.
When you meet the photographer:
* Ask to see some of their previous work.
* Ask if they shoot RAW (jargon for lots of ‘information’ being in the images the photographer
takes) or JPG (less ‘information’ in the images). RAW pictures take up lots of camera memory, but
when it comes to processing they generally give a better result that pictures taken in JPGs.

* If they offer various ‘packages’ ask if they will tailor any of their photography packages to suit
you – no point paying for something you don’t want.
* Ask what style of photography they do – formal or informal (candid) or a mixture of both?
* What are their payment options – most photographers ask for a deposit, with the balance being
paid on the wedding day. Be wary of anybody that asks for full payment up front – the ‘cost’ of
photographing a wedding is all about time spent by the photographer, but their time doesn’t start
until they turn up on the day and take that first picture. In a time when money is tight, some
photographers will offer payment split into three, with the final payment being when they get the
pictures to you.
* Ask if they have insurance – insurance is inexpensive and any serious photographer will have
some.
* Ask if they intend the visit the venue prior to the wedding. Good photographers will go to the
venue before your day – they need to see what the layout is like and plan for a rainy day when
pictures might need to be taken inside.
* If you are having a rehearsal, will they attend that? Good photographers will attend as it gives
them chance to meet your family and the Official to ask where they can and can’t go during the
ceremony.
* Ask how long after the wedding you can expect to get your pictures – this should be around two to
three weeks, maybe longer in the Summer months when they might be doing weddings on
consecutive weekends. However, they should make you aware of this fact, so you know what to
expect.
* Ask if you can speak to previous clients – even if you have no intention of doing this, a trustworthy
photographer should be able to give you contact details for at least one previous client.
Getting a good photographer should not be hard, but how many of us have struggled to get a good
plumber? A bad plumber is disastrous, but at worst; you turn your water off and wait for somebody
else to come along. There is no second chance on your wedding day, you cannot plan to do it all
again and there are some photographers who will take your money, turn up and photograph your
wedding and then fail to supply you with any pictures.
Hopefully, with a bit of work on your part beforehand, you should be able to minimise the chances
of getting ripped off by a Cowboy with a camera.
Jo-ann L Wheeler
www.jowheelerphotography.co.uk

top bea
to help you look amazin
Stay hydrated in
the weeks
leading up to
your wedding -
it's great for skin
Consider applying
self tan to give
your skin a
healthy, sun
kissed look
Keep yo
exfoliate
weeks bef
wedding f
soft he
lookin
Keep a bag handy
on you big day
with your
emergency beauty
kit
Try waxing as
your hair removal
option - it will
last though your
honeymoon
Opt
water
mascara
can shed
joy in con

n
o
e
ef
f
he
n
t
r
a
d
on
uty tips
ng on your wedding day!
our body
ed in the
efore your
for super
ealthy
ng skin
Stick to what you
know - your
wedding day isn't
the best time to
experiment with a
new look
In the weeks
leading up to your
wedding keep
yourself hydrated
for clearer skin
t for
rproof
a so you
d tears of
onfidence
Have a trial run of
your wedding hair
& make up so you
are 100% happy
with your look
Wash your hair
the evening
before your
wedding so it's
easier to style

Wedding S
your guide on w
Save The Date cards - if you want to let everyone know
you've set a date and to make sure they are free
Day Invites - to send to guests you would like at your wedding
ceremony and wedding breakfast
Evening Invites - to send to guests you would like at your
evening celebrants
RSVP's - usually sent with invites to get an idea of who is
coming to the wedding
Direction cards - a map of your wedding location - especially
if it's a little tricky to get to
Menu's - you can have menu's made up for your wedding

S
w
Stationery
what to order
breakfast, following on the same style as the rest of your
stationery
Place cards - so everyone knows where their place is at the
tables for the wedding breakfast
Order of Service - a booklet made up as a programme of
your wedding ceremony, a lovely keepsake for guests too
Table Plan - so your guests know exactly which table to sit
at for the wedding breakfast
Table Numbers - for reference with the table plan so people
know which table is theirs

Planning Your A
Autumn is a great time of the year to plan a wedding. You have such a huge choice of
colours, reds and ranges, berries and browns.
With Halloween and Bonfire Night at this time of year also, it is a great time of year to
celebrate.
A champagne gold wedding dress would capture the seasonal feeling. Also rich ivory or
gold coloured dresses. To compliment your wedding flowers and venue perfectly.
It's a lovely way to show off your personality too, stepping away from the traditional white/
ivory wedding dresses.

A
Autumn Wedding
Beautiful autumnal hand tied wedding bouquets,
featuring seasonal flowers such as sunflowers and dahlias
as the main flower.
Wedding venues look stunning this time of year, with backdrops of golden trees. The perfect
opportunity for wedding photos.
Just be prepared for any weather, wedding umbrellas and wellies at the ready!

Autumnal Wedding Cak

k
ke Ideas

ENGAGEMENT
Throwing an engagement party is a great way to celebrate your exciting news! Plus it gives
the two families a chance to meet early on in your wedding planning journey. And of course
it gives you a chance to show off your ring!
TIPS
When it comes to inviting
guests to your Engagement
Party, only invite those you
intend on inviting to the
Wedding
Decide whether your
Engagement is to be a
surprise! Send out
invitations to a 'party'
If your parents haven't
already met your partner -
consider if you would like
them to meet before the
party
BE MONEY SAVVY
One way to keep costs low is to hold your Engagement Party at your or a friends home.
Another money saving idea is to ask all your guests to bring a plate of food, this could be
organised by a list which is circulated around friends and family - similar to the way Gift Lists
work, and ask everyone to choose an item to bring.
Go through all friends and family and make use of their talents, can anyone bake you a cake?
decorate your venue? make invitations etc.
All these will save you a lot of money and they add a personal touch.

We're getting
married!

Toastmaster Bob’s helpful
hints for your wedding
Toasts
Traditionally the Father of the Bride toasts the Bride & Bridegroom and the Bridegroom toasts the
Bridesmaids. The Best Man may also toast the newlyweds if he chooses. It may also be appropriate
for the Bridegroom or Father of the Bride to raise a toast during his speech to ‘absent friends’.
Which side
Remember that the Bridegroom is the Bride's 'right hand man'. In other words, for the ceremony,
photos and seating on the top table, the Bridegroom is on the right hand side of his Bride. When
walking down the aisle, Dad is on his daughter’s left side. Best remembered by saying ‘the Bride has
Buttonholes
It may be helpful to appoint someone to make sure each principal guest is wearing their button hole
or corsage and they may require help to pin them on. A good florist who is in attendance should help
with this but your toastmaster will also be on hand to assist. A man's buttonhole should be worn on
the outside of the buttonhole of the left lapel. Corsages are worn just below the lady's right shoulder
with the stem pointing up.
Menu choices
If your guests have a choice menu, it may be helpful to have their choice printed on the reverse of
their place name card. If they turn the card over once they are seated it will also assist the waiting
staff in serving the correct choice.
Guest book
Seating
The Bride's family should be seated on the left and Bridegroom's on the right (facing the front) &
Ushers should remember to leave enough seats on the Bride's side for the Father of the Bride and
Bridesmaids to be seated. The seating of family at the top table can often be awkward if parents have
divorced and remarried, so do ask your toastmaster for advice on this matter. You can arrange the
seating plan however you wish but a conventional top table arrangement, when viewed from the
front is:
Chief B'maid/BG father /B's mother/B'groom/Bride/B's father/BG's mother/Best Man

Walking down the aisle
The Bridal party should take their time entering, allowing the music to play a little before starting the
walk down the aisle. If it is a short aisle try taking one step at a time in sync with your father (left,
together, right, together etc.). This will avoid walking out of step and help you savour the moment
by making it last longer. At ceremonies held in the same venue as the wedding breakfast your
toastmaster can announce you into the ceremony – “Ladies and Gentlemen would you please stand.
Accompanied by her Father and attended by her bridesmaids – your Bride”. Cue music and away you
go!
Bride’s Arrival
If your wedding ceremony is being held in a venue other than a church, the bride must arrive 10-15
minutes early as she has to meet with the Registrars prior to the ceremony, and allow time for photo's
getting out of the car. Don’t be late as the Registrar’s may have another wedding to travel to later
that day! Your toastmaster will ensure your guests are all seated in the ceremony room before you
arrive. Have some music e.g. a pianist or harpist to keep them entertained while they await your
entrance.
Photographs
Allow plenty of time for your photographs, as you want to mingle with your guests and not be rushing
from photo’s to meal. Consult with your photographer but try not to have too many group shots as
this can take up more time than you think. A good toastmaster will
assist the photographer in gathering groups of guests for the photographs. Most photographers will
take the Bride & Bridegroom off on their own for half an hour so I suggest a minimum of 2 hours from
the end of your ceremony (or arrival at the venue in the case of church wedding) to the start of your
meal. Perhaps a singer, musician or magician can help to keep guests entertained during this time
before the meal.
Cutting the cake
When cutting your wedding cake the easiest way is for the Bridegroom to hold the knife in his right
hand and the Bride to place her left hand on top with her rings visible. This avoids the Bridegroom
pressing down on the Bride’s rings which can be painful for both. They can also place their arms around
each other. When you have cut the cake hold the pose and look at the cake, each other and the many
cameras that will no doubt be focused upon you as they will have been the whole day!
Rings
Bride, swap your engagement ring to the ring finger of your right hand before the ceremony. You
can put it back on your left hand after the ceremony.
Receiving Line
You will also need to allow time for the receiving line when you greet everyone as they enter for the
meal. The receiving line can comprise of just the Bride & Bridegroom or can include parents, bridesmaids
and best man. A hundred guests can take between 30/40 minutes to pass through depending on how
long you chat to each one. Once again your toastmaster can advise on all these timings and he is
crucial in keeping things on time. Don’t forget you have a meal being prepared and you don’t want
Toastmaster Bob Lloyd | 01603 465819 | www.toastmasterbob.co.
uk

Couples on
Ideas to keep costs low whilst ha
Every bride wants their wedding day to be special and perfect, and this doesn’t
necessarily have to cost the earth.
We want to share with you some ideas and tips on how to keep your wedding
planning costs as low as possible,
whilst giving you all the aspects of your perfect day you expect.
Throwing an Engagement Party
Once your partner has popped the question you will want to tell the world!
Engagement Parties are an increasingly popular way of celebrating your good
news with loved ones.
One way to keep costs low is to hold your Engagement Party at your or a friends
home. Another money saving idea is to ask all your guests to bring a plate of
food, this could be organised by a list which is circulated around friends and
family – similar to the way Gift Lists work, and ask everyone to chose an item to
bring.
Go through all friends and family and make use of their talents, can anyone
bake you a cake? decorate your venue? make invitations etc. All these will save
you a lot of money and they add a personal touch.
Planning Your Wedding
Before you do anything, it’s very important to set a realistic budget, which you
can stick to. We have a free printable Budget Planner which you can print and
note down what you are budgeting for each area of your wedding planning.
Then you can write actual costings down and see where you have saved, can you
add some of the cash saved on one item to another.
The sooner you book suppliers, you may be able to secure prices and of course
availability.

n
a
n a budget
aving the Wedding of your dreams
Wedding Cake and Catering
Easy one this! have a family member to help by baking a cake or cupcakes
Venue
Can you hold both your ceremony and reception in the same venue? Most civil
ceremony venues will have packages for couples so they know the costs upfront,
and include, ceremony, wedding breakfast, welcome drinks, entertainment and
evening buffet. Having a venue that is close to you, family and friends will no
doubt save on travelling costs.
Wedding Dress
One of the most important decisions surrounding your wedding is of course your
Wedding Dress. You may have childhood memories of what you want your dress
to look like when you’re older, so you’ve probably got an idea what you want.
It’s important you shop around to find one that suits you. Off the peg dresses
will be the most cost effective way of buying your bridal gown. Although now a
lot of department stores are bringing out their own designs of bridal wear at
very affordable prices, so if you are tight on your budget please do consider one
of these.
Photography and Videography
Try and secure your wedding date with your chosen Photographer and
Videographer as soon as you decide, most will freeze their current year prices
for you and most now offer package deals, and can work to fit your budget.
Really tight budget? Some Photographers who are starting out need a portfolio
and experience and some even offer FREE photography bookings! might be
worth ringing local universities or colleges to information if this is offered locally
to you.

top wedding trend
add greenery to your wedding flower displays - these empty
jars, with tied hessian string are a simple way to add a touch
of elegance to your wedding
Soft pastel colour work beautifully with greenery
in your wedding flowers.
Greene
the co
the yea

d
e
ol
a
ds of 2017
ery is
olour of
ar
beautiful floral bouquet, using daisys and
greenery. Perfect for a simple country wedding

How To Choose Your Wedding dj
by BK the DJ
I'm sure most people have heard that a good or bad DJ can make or break just
about any event. So it really pays to do your homework and know what to look
for when you go shopping around for a DJ for your special event.
It never ceases to amaze me that most a people will pay more attention to, and
be willing to spend more money on, other aspects of a typical event; such as
catering, photographers, venues...etc. But when it comes to the DJ; the source
of entertainment; the person that is going to be responsible for all the
announcements, introductions, and overall tempo of the event; it becomes almost
an afterthought.
After all when it's all said and done just what do you think people are going to
remember the most about the wedding, anniversary, birthday or whatever event
it was that they attended? Sure they'll remember how beautiful the bride looked
and how nice the ceremony was. But will they really remember and think fondly
about the food that was served....well maybe, if it's that good or the photographer
that was taking pictures? I don't think so. But what they will remember, is the
good time they had dancing to all their favourite tunes.
They will remember that the DJ created a fun, festive atmosphere; that they
were compelled to dance to the great music that he or she played. They'll
remember that this DJ welcomed and actually played their request. That he/she
was all over the place interacting with the guest; making them feel important by
including them in the festivities, and making him or herself accessible to them.
That is, if you hired a true professional DJ; that knows how to organize and run
a party.
These attributes (and more) are all important aspects of being a good DJ and
entertainer. So what does it take to find the right DJ for your important event?
It takes knowledge and understanding of just what a DJ does, or better yet; should
do in order to make any event a fun & memorable experience for all those in
attendance. You should always ask for, and check references (word of mouth is
also good).

Equally important, is to personally interview and get a feel for the person that
is going to DJ for your event. Do not shop or hire a DJ solely on the basis of price.
I know it's so cliche` to say this, but in this business, as is true for most products
& services.....you get what you pay for.
Another important thing that a good DJ should do for you, is help you plan and
organize your event. For example, the planning for any announcements,
introductions, and most importantly the timing of all the above. The DJ should
provide you with either paperwork or online tools for making a outline of the
chain of events that happens at most functions. Sort of a guideline for the DJ to
follow; as well as to communicate any needed info to the other vendors such as
the caterers, photographers, and staff at the venue. He should also be able to
share any unique knowledge and creative ideas he has with you based on his
years of experience. If he's been in this business for a while, and done many
different types of events, then he should have all kinds of thoughts on this matter;
and be willing to share them with you. Speaking of paperwork; make sure you
get everything in writing. Any true professional DJ will provide you with a contract.
Spelling out the date, time, price and other agreed upon specifics of the event.
An event such as wedding is just too important to cut corners when it comes to
an area where most of the focus (aside from the Bride & Groom) is going to be
directed to. On that same note, a good wedding DJ should control & direct most
of that focus not at himself,but towards the Bride & Groom. After all, it is their
day and the very reason why everyone is there to begin with; therefore they
should be the focus of all the attention.
So do yourself a favour, do your homework and know exactly what it is your
looking for in a DJ for your special event..
If your going to pinch pennies for your reception; the entertainment is the one
thing you should not skimp on.
BKtheDJ are an entertainment company that are based in the Cheltenham area,
they provide services from Lighting through to full discos, They also offer other
services such as bouncy castle, popcorn machines, candyfloss machines and more..
If you would like to get a quote please call 07584070865.

Delicate Country
Chic
We will help you create your county chic wedding.
Bringing the outdoors in, transforming your wedding venue into
a romantic intimate setting for your perfect day
www.essentialcouture.co.uk

Any venue can be transformed into your
perfect romantic wedding setting.
Creativity it the key. Making use of props
available for hire, decorating
candlelabras with candles, pastel
flowers, hanging pearls like in the image
to the left really make an attractive
centrepiece sure to impress your guests.
Scatter your tables with tealights,
crystals, set your table centrepieces
upon mirrors.
Popular props now used more frequently
are white post boxes for your wedding
cards to be collected in, other ideas are
a picnic basket or retro aged leather
suitcase left open with bunting reading
'cards'
Essential Wedding Flowers
You can decorate vintage bird cages, to go
You can find lots of great decorations if
through places like charity shops, jumble s
You may get lucky and find a whole chin
gorgeous way to serve your tea.
There are lots of great businesses who c
www.gccou
www.essentialweddinghire.com

o
f
sa
n
c
u
www.essentialcouture.co.uk
o with your centre pieces.
f you have a rummage
sales, car boot sales etc.
na tea set which are a
can take care of all the
hard work for you if you'd prefer not to DIY your decorations.
We love the idea of the trees as centre pieces on the tables, they
are so elegant and really show off the flowers like blossom
uture.co.uk
www.essentialweddinghire.com